Education

Kindergartens accept children who are aged from 3 to 5 who have not yet entered elementary school. There are public and private kindergartens (public kindergartens for children who are 4 to 5 years old, and private kindergartens for children from 3 to five years old). In Ibaraki City, there are 13 public (sponsored by the Ibaraki City government) kindergartens and 13 private kindergartens.

Kindergartens supported by the city

Educational Policy Division(TEL: 620-1680)
Children who meet the specified age criteria on April 1 are accepted for enrollment. An enrollment submission sheet (for a 4 year old child) or an enrollment application sheet (for a 5 year old child) must be submitted.

Children who are 4 years old and want to enter in the middle of the year may have to wait to enter until the kindergarten has a space in a class.

Private kindergartens

Parents who enroll their child in private kindergarten will be paid a subsidy. However, if the parents' income amount exceeds a certain amount, some will not be eligible for subsidies.

In Japan, children are required to attend school for 9 years, from elementary school through junior high school. During these years, school fees and textbooks are free, and children can enter the specified public school.

School starts in April and ends in March each year. There are 2 weeks of holidays at New Years, and also in the spring. The summer session has a summer holiday from the end of July to the end of August (40 days).

Children of foreign nationality can enter a Japanese public school by requesting entry at a local board of education. The board will issue a school entry notice. It is possible to enter in the middle of a term.

Private elementary schools and private junior high schools are available. These schools charge fees. For the details, please the private school in question. Usually, children are required to pass an entrance examination at the school in order to be accepted.

Elementary and junior high schools

Educational Affairs Division(TEL: 620-1684) In Ibaraki City, there are 32 public elementary schools and 15 junior high schools. Children of foreign nationality are not required to attend a Japanese school but they can attend public school if this is the family's wish.

Public elementary schools follow the school meal system. In public elementary and junior high schools entrance, lessons, and textbooks are free. However, other educational fees, such as for school items, meals, school trips, and excursions are charged to the parents.

Foreigner children registered in Ibaraki City who will reach the age to enter school by the next spring will received an invitation from the Board of Education around the middle of September to enter public school the next spring. If you want your child to enter a public school, please submit an application to the Education General Affair Division of the Board of Education before the beginning of October.

If you want your child to enter in the middle of school year, please come to the Educational Affairs Division of the Board of Education with your foreign resident registration certificate. Applications are accepted anytime.

There are senior high schools available to students who have finished compulsory education. There are many types of senior high schools: general senior high school where subjects are studied broadly and specialized senior high schools that teach such things as engineering. For details about entering prefectural or city senior high schools, please inquire with the senior high school education division of the prefectural or city government. For details about private senior high schools, please inquire at the particular school of interest.